The occurrence of stroke symptoms suggests that the brain does not get the blood it needs for proper functioning.
Disruption of brain function created in this way can be temporary and permanent. For example, a person can lose the ability to speak, which recovers over time.
Also, there may be a one-sided weakness in the extremities, which may be complete or partial (hemiplegia and hemiparesis).
It is important to react properly when you notice the symptoms of a stroke. The sooner you begin treatment, the smaller the chances of severe brain damage. This also means less chances of permanent disability.
Warning signs of a stroke
Sometimes the symptoms of stroke develop gradually. However, they often manifest themselves in the form of the following symptoms:
- Numbness and weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion and inability to understand speech
- Speech problems
- Vision problems on one or both eyes
- Balance and coordination problems
- Dizziness
- Severe headaches that occurs suddenly, for no apparent reason.
Types of stroke
The symptoms of stroke may vary depending on the type of stroke, lesion location and severity of the stroke. A mild stroke can be harder to recognize.
Hemorrhagic stroke
This type of stroke occurs when an artery bursts in the brain, causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissue.
Ischemic stroke
This type of stroke occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the brain are blocked. This may occur for various reasons. The most common among them is atherosclerosis, where the fatty deposits on artery walls can lead to the formation of a blood clot which then blocks a brain artery.
The clot may also come from the heart, when it travels through the bloodstream and blocks a cerebral artery. This clot can occur due to a malfunction of the heart called atrial fibrillation.
A transient ischemic attack is a warning preceding a stroke, and is characterized by paralysis of one side of the face and body, and slurred speech.
A British survey, which included 2000 people, showed that two thirds of the respondents do not recognize the symptoms of transient ischemic attack, or transient stroke.
Almost one in ten people with symptoms of transient ischemic attack experience a real stroke a week after the first signs. Despite this, three-quarters of the respondents admitted that they would not go to a doctor if they notice these symptoms. Almost 66 percent of people claim that they do not know what the symptoms of transient ischemic attack are.
“The results of the study confirmed that people ignore these symptoms, which causes a higher risk of stroke. Visits to the doctor can save you from immobility or even death” – claims Peter Rothwell, a neurologist at the University of Oxford.
The symptoms of a transient ischemic attack
A transient ischemic attack or a transient stroke is similar to a stroke, but much milder. The attack is a sign that the brain is not getting enough oxygen, and the most common symptoms are paralysis on one side of the body or face and transient speech disturbance, which disappears after 24 hours.
The symptoms can be easily checked. Ask the person to smile and see if they only move one side of the face or both. Tell them to repeat something after you, and pay attention if they are saying it correctly or incoherently. Tell them to put out both hands in front of them and held them for several seconds. If one arm drops down, call a doctor.
The attack is a warning that a stroke might happen in the near future, which is why it is necessary to react on time. Although the risk of stroke is increased in people older than 65 years, children, and even babies, are at risk.
Symptoms of a real stroke
The most common symptoms of a stroke are paralysis of the face, arms or legs, speech disorder, complete inability or difficulty pronouncing words, complete lack of understanding speech, sudden loss of vision–particularly in one eye, sudden and severe headache followed by vomiting, loss of balance, dizziness and sudden drops.
Every six seconds someone dies of a stroke and every six seconds someone becomes disabled due to the consequences of a stroke.
